Time’s up for the Yes2Rail blog, which I launched on June 30, 2008 as a paid consultant on Honolulu's elevated rail project. Yes2Rail’s August 13, 2012 post was its last following the author's move to Sacramento, CA. You’re invited to read four-plus years of information-packed entries, many of which are linked at our “aggregation site.” Look for the paragraph with red copy in the right-hand column, below. Mahalo for all the positive comments Yes2Rail received since its start.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Inouye: Honolulu Can 'Count On' Federal Rail $$s

Honolulu rail has a friend in Congress who says federal funding for the project is safe as long as he has anything to say about it.

He, of course, is Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI), the longest-serving member of the United States Senate and chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Residents joke about saying prayers for DKI’s health each night, but it’s no joke that Senator Inouye is in the inner circle of power people in Washington and wields enormous influence over where federal dollars are sent around the country. He’s known for ensuring that large numbers of them come to Hawaii.

Home from the capital during the August recess, Mr. Inouye held a press conference yesterday and said Honolulu “should count on” the $1.55 billion in federal funds it’s planning on for the $5.3 billion project.

“I will most certainly discuss this matter with the appropriate committee,” Inouye said – his typically understated way of saying “it’s a lock.”

Bombardier Pondering

Bombardier, one of the three firms to submit a bid on the Honolulu rail system, is still thinking through its next steps after receiving its latest rejection slip.

The city dismissed the company’s bid, and Bombardier appealed that action to the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. The hearing officer rejected that appeal, and now the company says it will “seriously consider” going to court over the latest rejection. Civil Beat has posted Vice President Andy Robbins’ statement.

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This Isn't Political

Yes2Rail is a blog about the Honolulu rail transit project, which has become the key issue in this year’s mayoral race. We comment on the candidates’ plans to address Oahu’s growing congestion problem and whether those plans could meet the need as well as elevated rail can and will. That’s not the same as criticizing the candidates, and we urge our readers to recognize the difference.

Another red-light runner meets Denver at-grade train, 6.13.12

Honolulu rail will be elevated, with zero possibility for accidents like those shown in this column in cities with at-grade systems. Visit our "aggregation site" for much more on why elevated rail is the only reasonable way to build Honolulu rail.

What riding the train will avoid

Bus Accident Aftermath on H-1

'Black Tuesday'--9/5/06 Crash Produced Nightmare Commute

Typical H-1 Traffic

About Me

After five years of active-duty service as an Army officer with duty stations in West Berlin and South Vietnam, reported and edited for newspapers and broadcast stations (including all-news radio) in Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles and Honolulu. Covered Honolulu city government for the Honolulu Advertiser and KGMB-TV. Served on Congressman Cec Heftel's staff in Honolulu and Washington, then managed corporate communications and was Hawaiian Electric Company's spokesman for nearly a decade. A communications consultant for 19 years before moving to California in 2012. Launched, produced and hosted Hawaii Public Radio's "live" weekly "Energy Futures" public affairs program in 2009-10. Authored books on The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific ("Punchbowl" 1982) and on the decline of standard grammar in business and society ("Me and Him Are Killing English!" 2007). Now an information officer with the California Department of Water Resources.